Topics:
Rheumatology • General Rheumatology • Polymyalgia rheumatica • Journal Club ft. NEJM publications
What baseline and ongoing testing do you recommend for patients with PMR who are going to be on a prolonged steroid taper?
Do you universally perform baseline DEXA and Hgb A1C? How often are you obtaining routine labs?
Answer from: at Academic Institution
My answer below is specific to patients with a definite diagnosis of PMR and does not necessarily cover diagnostic testing such as evaluation for possible mimics, which is certainly important and should include infections and malignancy in main differential, or other rheumatic diseases (RA, GCA).
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Answer from: at Academic Institution
When evaluating a new patient for PMR, the basic lab panel should include CBC, CMP, ESR, CRP RF, and CCP. In some cases, TSH and vitamin D levels might be warranted. A lipid profile should also be considered. Serum CK and aldolase are rarely required. Serum glucose levels can determine whether A1C m...